Chapter 27: As If My Body Has Been Hollowed Out

"Tch!" Luo Yong's words immediately drew a chorus of boos from the group of beautiful female teammates.

"After everyone saw you summon skeleton soldiers, they all assumed you were a necromancer. Who would still believe anything you say?" The Storm Sorceress shook her head, her aquamarine hair swaying behind her, giving her an unmistakable charm.

The chubby fellow sitting apart was utterly mesmerized.

Ahem.

Though in his heart, his goddess was still Wendy, surrounded by so many beautiful women, he couldn't help but be distracted, glancing at one and then another.

Secretly, he envied Luo Yong, who could speak freely with them, say whatever he wished. As for himself, though he'd managed to tag along, he still couldn't blend into their circle in such a short time.

He instinctively attributed this to the difference in levels—he was only level four, and when a group of level eight veterans spoke, he had no right to interject, only to listen.

"It's not like no one believes you..." The Wild Huntress seized the opportunity to turn the conversation, saying, "Just explain yourself clearly. Besides, why do you need others to believe you? Just be yourself!"

"Exactly, that's right!"

"Well said."

In an instant, the group switched sides, now rallying behind Luo Yong instead. It left one a bit at a loss.

Then the Barbarian Priestess asked, "You say it's necromancy, but what about the sword, and what about the knight? Can you break it down?"

"Can that even be explained separately?" Luo Yong retorted with a huff. He had only blurted out a random class on the spot—never considered what kind of sword or knight. But if they kept pressing for details, he wouldn’t be able to keep up the act without a good explanation.

"Well, as for sword techniques, I haven't learned any yet. Maybe in the future, I'll pick up some combat skills... Who knows, perhaps I'll find something right here in this secret domain."

He spoke offhandedly—after all, no one else could discern his true class. Secrecy had to be maintained from the very beginning.

"Suddenly, something else comes to mind..." The Barbarian Priestess grew pensive, then spoke softly, "Speaking of necromancy, that incantation you used before—was it real?"

"The ultimate secret of necromancers is said to be the ability to summon an endless army of the dead, to truly open the gates of hell..."

"Legend says there was once an age when a necromancer unleashed such power, igniting an apocalyptic war..."

Before Luo Yong could respond, the others chimed in, joining the discussion and sharing tales they'd heard.

"Hey, I was asking Luo Yong, not you lot! And what are you even talking about?" The Barbarian Priestess said, clearly displeased.

"Um... well, I suppose so..." Luo Yong replied, uncertain himself. He wasn’t sure if it was real.

He had learned the incantation from a wily wandering mage merchant while buying goods. The merchant claimed it was an ancient spell, but who could say if it was genuine? Compared to the items paid for with real gold, the spell was, at best, a bonus. The merchant had spoken with convincing seriousness, then flashed a mysterious smile after being paid, packed up, and vanished—clearly a con artist moving on to the next mark.

No one but Luo Yong had bothered to remember such a long chant.

Still, the results had been impressive. It had scared off Ivan, the level eleven opponent, and intimidated the two minotaurs. Otherwise, dealing with those three would have come at a cost—and they might not have won at all.

"I never saw that incantation on any scroll. I checked to the very end—not a trace. So, most likely, it's fake!" Luo Yong sighed. Did such magic truly exist in this world?

"Wait..." The Barbarian Priestess suddenly recalled something, leaned in, and grabbed Luo Yong by the collar. "You actually spent money on items you didn't even know were useful or not—and everyone got one, even the new guy..."

She shot a fierce glare at the chubby newcomer, making him shudder. How could someone so beautiful look so terrifying when she glared? Wendy was much gentler...

Luo Yong was used to this—despite her petite frame, the Barbarian Priestess was wild and unreasonable. If she ever acted prim and proper, something would be amiss!

"What about my share?" She held out her hand self-righteously, demanding what was hers.

"The items are all used up—there's nothing left. If not, that scene wouldn't have looked so convincing, and Ivan wouldn't have fled in terror..."

"Then just pay me. Those items are no use to me anyway," she said.

"Eh?" Luo Yong’s expression turned awkward, glancing at the beautiful teammates nearby.

"Luo Yong's out of money," Wendy said.

"We used the last of our funds on supplies for exploring the Forest's Secret Domain," said the Storm Sorceress.

"Every coin has been spent," the Wild Huntress added.

The chubby fellow was at a loss—should he say something too, like the others? But what?

"So you mean they've bled you dry?" The Barbarian Priestess blurted out, as blunt as ever.

"Eh?" Luo Yong's jaw dropped. What kind of wild talk was this? She didn’t even think before speaking. Was this still the innocent Barbarian Priestess he knew?

"Ah Man, must you say things like that? It's true, but still..." Wendy said helplessly.

"How else should I say it? Unless you give me my share!" The Barbarian Priestess made it clear she wanted her fair portion.

Luo Yong thought to himself, if he ever dared entertain the idea of a harem after pledging himself to that elven lady, this priestess would probably finish him off with a single blow—his head smashed to pieces.

"Luo Yong's been emptied, let him off," Elia, who’d been silent, suddenly said, pushing the awkwardness to new heights.

Even the Barbarian Priestess was left speechless.

That, perhaps, was the power of a conversation killer.

After a moment, someone stifled a laugh, then the women all burst into giggles, the atmosphere turning harmonious.

A while later, the campfire burned low.

A snow-white rabbit hopped up to them. The Barbarian Priestess reached out and caught it.

"So cute—it must be delicious," Elia said emotionlessly.

"Ah Man, let it go. It’s just a rabbit, but this is the secret domain. We’d better be careful," Wendy advised.

"It’s just a bunny, what harm could it do?" The Barbarian Priestess cradled it, thinking, You all drained Luo Yong dry... Ahem. Can’t I at least have a rabbit?

"Huh?" As she thought this, a startled cry came from the side. The Wild Huntress sprang to her feet, her summoned direwolf growling a warning.

They looked into the distance—the forest was alive with countless glimmering lights, and indistinct shadows shifted among the trees.

"It's the creatures of the secret domain—they've been drawn by the firelight."

"Battle formation!" Wendy commanded, drawing her flaming longsword, though the flame remained sheathed.

The others took up their positions—they'd fought together many times and moved with practiced coordination.

Only Luo Yong and the chubby newcomer stood awkwardly, unsure what to do.

"Ah!" Suddenly, the Barbarian Priestess cried out, flinging the rabbit away and clutching her arm in pain.

"What happened? Bitten by a rabbit?" Elia asked, puzzled. And in this secret domain...

"Ugh..." Whatever she had meant to say, the Barbarian Priestess only groaned and collapsed, her face twisted in agony.

"Poisoned? Was that rabbit venomous?" the Storm Sorceress gasped.

"Quick! Catch it!" Elia shouted, but the rabbit had already vanished into the darkness. Where it disappeared, dozens of eyes now gleamed.

"Damn!" Elia hurried over to check on the priestess, finding her condition dire. In just a few breaths, her entire arm had turned black, the poison spreading rapidly through her body.

Her face had darkened, and a black mist seemed to swirl around her.

"Ah Man! What do we do?!" Elia, panic-stricken, looked around. "Does anyone have any antidote?"

Everyone shook their heads.

No one had come prepared—not even the curse witch in their ranks had any antidote ready.

"Ah Man... what do we do? The poison's too strong—I can't neutralize it..." Tears began to stream down Elia’s face. She might often have little patience for the Barbarian Priestess, but at this critical moment, her true feelings broke through.